BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AIR FORCE ...

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AFMAN 11-217V1 3 JANUARY 2005
15.6.3.3. Weather -- High Ceiling/Good Visibility. If weather permits, fly the
circling approach at an altitude higher than the circling MDA, up to your normal VFR
traffic pattern altitude. This allows the maneuver to be flown with a more familiar
perspective and better visual cues. Do not descend below circling MDA until in a
position to place the aircraft on a normal glide path to the landing runway. (In order
to prepare pilots for the worst situation fly practice circling approaches at the circling
MDA if feasible and conditions permit.)
15.6.3.4. Weather -- Low Ceiling/Restricted visibility. If weather does not permit
circling above the MDA, do not descend below circling MDA until the aircraft is in
a position to execute a normal landing. Descend from the MDA as necessary to
place the aircraft on a normal glide path to the landing runway.
15.6.3.5. Missed Approach. If there is any doubt whether the aircraft can be safely
maneuvered to touchdown, execute the missed approach.
15.6.3.5.1. WARNING: Be aware of the common tendency to maneuver too
close to the runway at altitudes lower than your normal VFR pattern altitude.
Using the same visual cues that you use from normal VFR pattern altitudes causes
this. Select a pattern that displaces you far enough from the runway that will
allow you to turn to final without overbanking or overshooting final.
15.7. Side-Step Maneuver Procedures. Where a side-step procedure is published, aircraft
may make an instrument approach to a runway or airport and then visually maneuver to land
on an alternate runway specified in the procedure. Landing minimums to the adjacent
runway will be higher than the minimums to the primary runway, but will normally be lower
than the published circling minimums.
15.7.1. Phraseology. Examples of ATC phraseology used to clear aircraft for these
procedures are: “Cleared for ILS runway seven left approach. Side-step to runway seven
right.”
15.7.2. Begin Side-step. Pilots are normally expected to commence the side-step
maneuver as soon as possible after the runway or runway environment is in sight.
Typically this occurs inside the FAF. Beginning the side-step maneuver prior to the FAF
could cause a conflict with other traffic, especially when using parallel runways. The
side-step MDA will be maintained until reaching the point at which a normal descent
to land on the side-step runway can be started.
15.7.3. Lose Visual. As in a circling approach, if you lose visual reference during the
maneuver, follow the missed approach specified for the approach procedure just flown,
unless otherwise directed. An initial climbing turn toward the landing runway will ensure
that the aircraft remains within the obstruction clearance area.